PHOTOS: Two small dogs were found covered in cactus in east Mesa on Monday morning, according to Rural Metro Fire Department officials.
A family living nearby discovered the dogs near Ellsworth and Sleepy Hollow roads and reported the situation to authorities, fire officials said.
Fire crews arrived around 9:30 a.m. and located the dogs, removing the pieces of cholla cactus that were stuck all over their bodies, said Shawn Gilleland, a Rural Metro Fire Department spokesperson.
The dogs were turned over to Maricopa County Animal Care and Control for further treatment after the family told officials the dogs were strays, Gilleland said.
Both dogs were being treated at the East Valley shelter location and were expected to recover, according to Maricopa County Animal Care and Control officials.